Airfare from Chicago in June-- when to buy?

[MLC2002]

We will be at WDW from 6/13-20. As of now, airfare is ranging from about $250 (for flights that arrive at night on 6/13) to $340 (for nonstop flights with a.m. departure and late afternoon return). I was shocked... we have never paid more than $225 for RT tickets to MCO.

Is it likely we'll find cheaper flights if we wait until the 90-21 day window? If so, will we be limited to late evening and/or very early morning flights? Any advice from others who have flown from Chicago to Orlando in June about when to buy?

Thanks!

 

[meliss8599]

Not June, but July and in my experience, airfare only goes up as it gets closer to the date. Buying in late fall/early winter you get the better prices but I would by sooner rather than later. Not what you wanted to hear I know but I hope I'm wrong this year for you!

 

[maggiew]

Airfare is really high this year!!

Not sure where you live, but you can also try the Milwaukee airport. That is our airport of choice now, but we live in far north suburb. I just bought Airtran roundtrip for $240 plus taxes from MKE to MCO. Not great, but the prices were trending up. I guess Airtran will do a price adjustment if the price goes lower. So I went ahead and booked.

Maggie

 

[FINFAN]

Normally I wouldn't book out this far, but given the nasty winter across the nation and rising gas prices ( oil markets HATE uncertainty and Egypt is def affecting that) I would bite the bullet and book with SW, then have the eagle eye checking to see if the flights drop for a credit. I know it stinks because it is $ you are still spending, not really helping the budget to pay now for use later. I just think that a LOT of people are going to head out to FL for spring break and immed after schools get out ( tho snow days may push those dates back) and as you know the airlines have us in Chicago.
Are you renting a car? Last time we flew into TPA and rented just for the day as we were staying at the Dolphin and dropped it there...we flew out of Sarasota on AirTran for our return. I love that airport, SO easy! I guess be as creative as you can. Are you locked into those dates for sure? Generally Tuesday more specifically early morning rates can drop, but I think you are looking at $250/ Really, that is what A/F was at 10-12 years ago, so realistically still average.(tho that would have been for non-stops)

 

[bjscheel]

I don't know...I am glad I bought last weekend. We are flying United from Des Moines, with a layover in Chicago. Have you checked United? My flight was running $208 round trip last week. On Saturday they dropped to $198 so I pulled the trigger. Today they are $274, though. I am flying a Wednesday to Tuesday, which is when the chart showed the lowest prices. Have you tried different dates?

I am happy to have gotten under $200 out of Des Moines.

 

[quagmire0]

I booked our tickets when Southwest's booking opened for the first week in June back in November. Ended up being $315pp rt after all fees, taxes, etc. What was nice is that I got the direct flights we wanted at the times we wanted. What was also nice is that I only paid for DW and DD. Myself and DS flew free thanks to a Southwest CC promo. But anyways, looking at the rates right now, those same flights would cost me over $500pp rt. So my thought is that right now may not be the best time to buy - at least in Southwest's case.

 

[DisneyRunner2009]

I'm in the same situation, watching for a good fare. My family is planning on going in August, flying out of Milwaukee. I use farecast.com, which is now part of Bing. Farecast gives you a prediction to buy or wait. In the past the highest rate I paid was around $225, more recently around $180. This year I plan on paying more. As others have said, gas prices are going up and the airlines are cutting back on flights. When I see a fare I am comfortable with, that is when I will buy.